Kopanang Hydroponic Project

The Hydroponic Project was started in October 2001 when Maria Phalane thought of the idea and approached the community leaders in Moutse West, who then allowed her to have 4½ ha of ground for the project.

The National Department of Social Development, working through the Provincial Administration, funded the project.  From this funding fencing was erected, a borehole and pumping machine was installed, water tanks provided, start-up stock of seeds was purchased and an irrigation system installed.  An office and office equipment was also provided. Since then the project has funded itself from its production of vegetables.  When the project started there were 46 people employed, but over the years this has diminished to ten females and one male who currently work the project.

Initial training came from a group of German ladies based in Pretoria who taught them how, what and where to plant their crops.  These ladies still visit at regular intervals to ensure that all is still well with the project.  The Department of Labour and Agriculture, who taught them how to prepare the soil, how to transplant, how to control pests and how to irrigate, provided further training.  Basic business planning was presented by the Department of Labour while the Department of Social Development provided financial skills.

Crops presently grown include tomatoes, cabbages, spinach, carrots, beetroot and mealies (seasonal).  A new venture in jam making has been started with the growing of Prickly Pear (cactus) plants.

Their current market is the local community who buy from the farm.  Their needs at present are transport to take produce to the market and bigger water facilities to enable them to grow a wider variety of crops.